Inside Saks’ Fashion Director’s Australian Fashion Week Diary
Contemporary Fashion Director Cleo Davis-Urman lets us in on her camera roll.
As far as enviable work trips go, jetting off to Sydney for Australian Fashion Week is right up there at the tippy-top. So when Saks Fifth Avenue’s contemporary fashion director, Cleo Davis-Urman, offered to let us in on her camera roll as she went from show to show (to after-party, to picturesque ocean pool, to delicious-looking sushi spot...), we jumped at the chance to live vicariously through her (even if it was just from our desks). Click through the gallery below to do the same.
“Despite my best packing intentions, I decided that now was not the time to travel like a minimalist—in fact, just the opposite! Spending five days in Sydney (where it is currently winter) for Fashion Week calls for a fleet of luggage.”
“If you have to travel for 26 hours in one look, a Knowlita sweatshirt, Pellobello feather jacket and, of course, a Snapchat filter will save your life.”
“The first of many flat whites this trip.”
“First on the agenda had to be a trip to Bondi Icebergs Club. The endlessly photogenic structure—two abutting pools that collide with the ocean—has my vote for the most Instagram-able place in the world.”
“The dining room at the club offers expansive views of Bondi and is the perfect setting for sunset cocktails.”
“Dion Lee kicked off MBFWA with a beautiful runway show at Sydney’s famed Opera House. With views of the sails and being out on the water, the designer couldn’t have picked a more perfect location to unveil his collection and welcome us to Sydney.”
“Smiling my way through jet lag with yet another flat white at Carriageworks, the official MBFWA hub.”
“The Alice McCall collection was full of show-stopping styles for every occasion the holiday season brings.”
“Taking the (Cinq à Sept) train backstage after Alice McCall.”
“Ruffling feathers post-Alice McCall show with my partner in crime, Saks’ senior contemporary buyer, Anna Kigel. I couldn’t wait to test-drive this ostrich-feather jacket.”
“Artful arrangements by Fleurette transformed the C/MEO Collective runway into a garden oasis.”
“I am obsessed with the pink fur stoles from Mrs Shmith that were styled throughout the C/MEO show.”
“After a long day of shows and appointments, there is no better place to unwind than Harpoon Harry’s at the Hotel Harry. They are famous for their lethal margaritas and fried chicken burgers.”
“Being jet-lagged doesn’t seem so bad when you can hike the trail from Bondi to Bronte while watching the sunrise.”
“You can take the girls out of the city... Anna representing Downtown while I represent New York while down under.”
“Rewarding ourselves post-hike with breakfast at Bills, an Australian institution known for its ricotta pancakes, corn fritters and scrambled eggs. We ordered all three for research purposes.”
“The sushi at Toko in Surrey Hills was almost too pretty to eat. I said almost!”
“On the final evening, designer Camilla Franks hosted an intimate dinner to celebrate her Rio-inspired Resort collection. So committed to creating an authentic experience, Camilla decorated the table with indigenous flora and fauna, served a delicious meal that included Brazilian steak, and even surprised guests with Mardi Gras dancers and a band.”
“Romance Was Born closed the week with a show that was truly unforgettable. Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales, the dynamic duo behind the brand, marked their 10th anniversary with a collection full of wearable works of art.”
